Penguins forward Bryan Rust returns from to play Game 2; Nieto back for Sharks

PITTSBURGH – Penguins forward Bryan Rust will play in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final.

The 24-year-old, who was forced to exit Game 1 because of an upper-body injury, took part in the pre-game warmup and was declared ready to play in Game 2.

He will return to his usual spot on the right side of a line with Evgeni Malkin and Chris Kunitz.

Rust left the series opener on Monday night at the midway point of the third period after he was in the head by San Jose winger Patrick Marleau. He went out for one more shift after the hit before leaving the game for good.

Marleau was not suspended for the hit on the Michigan native, who has made a big impact for the Penguins this spring. He scored two goals in the club’s Game 7 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference final, adding the first goal in Monday’s 3-2 win over the Sharks.

He has six goals in the post-season, establishing a rookie team record.

Rust did not practise on Tuesday but took part in an optional morning skate on Wednesday morning.

The Sharks also added a healthy body back to their lineup with winger Matt Nieto returning to play for the first time in more than three weeks. Nieto hasn’t played because of an upper-body injury suffered in Game 6 of San Jose’s second round series against Nashville.

He’ll play alongside Chris Tierney and Joel Ward.